Community News

Author Talk features former Maine detective

Join Maine author, Bruce Robert Coffin, for a book talk about his new crime thriller, “Among the Shadows,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the South Portland Public Library’s main location. Coffin is the next guest in the library’s new Author Talk series.

Coffin is a former detective sergeant with more than 27 years in law enforcement. At the time of his retirement, from the Portland Police Department, he supervised all homicide and violent crime investigations. Following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, Coffin spent four years working counter-terrorism with the FBI, earning the Director’s Award, the highest honor a non-agent can receive.

Coffin’s novel has a local setting made all the more realistic by his law enforcement background. Introducing Det. Sgt. John Byron, the main character in the Detective Byron Mystery Series, the book jumps head-first into the investigation of a murdered retired cop from Portland. Byron is tasked with investigating the case at the very moment his personal life is unraveling. When another ex-Portland officer dies under suspicious circumstances, Byron quickly realizes there’s more involved in these cases than meets the eye.

Copies of “Among the Shadows” will be available to purchase at a reception and signing will follow the book talk. The Author Talk series is made possible through the support of Friends of the South Portland Public Library. For more information, call 767-7660, ext. 2.

Art show in South Portland will be dog themed

CIA Café at 72 Ocean St. in South Portland will host a whimsical dog-themed art show Friday, Oct. 28 through Wednesday, Nov. 30 by artists from YES Art Works studios.

“This show is about anything and all things dog. Man’s best friend is represented in a variety of art mediums that include 2D artwork, ceramics, note cards and pet dishes,” said Mary Jo Marquis, director of YES Art Works program.

The exhibit will also include a raffle drawing for the duration of the show for a chance to win a pet portrait by Maine artist Elizabeth Fraser. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the YES Art Works program.

“We are excited to be partnering with Elizabeth whose bright, bold use of color and expressive brush strokes capture her love of all furry, four-legged friends,” Marquis said.

YES Art Works is the studios of Creative Work Systems, a nonprofit organization that has been enriching the lives of people with intellectual and physical disabilities in Maine for 50 years. YES Art Works provides artistic experiences and opportunities that promotes personal growth through the development of self-esteem, self-confidence and independence.

Fundraiser for cancer center is set for Oct. 29

Marie’s Closet, an annual fundraiser for the Cancer Community Center, hosted by the center’s Red Hat Society chapter will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Center, 778 Main St., South Portland.

Marie’s Closet is a rummage sale that includes several rooms of gently used clothing, jewelry and accessories, white elephant items, a gift basket raffle; and a bake sale.

“Our mission is two-fold,” said Marie Wood, event organizer. “We want to support the center through fundraising and bring in new people to encourage participation in center activities.”

Last year the event raised nearly $5,600 to help fund free programs and services for Mainers whose lives have been disrupted by cancer.

In addition to the items for sale, Marie’s Closet includes the raffle of six enormous, themed gift baskets including: wine, beer, kitchen items, Italian food, spa, Pandora bracelet and charms.

Donations of gently used clothing, jewelry and accessories are being accepted at the Cancer Community Center 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. For more information, call 774-2200. To purchase raffle tickets, visit the center during office hours.